You Lost Me Oh So Long Ago

Sitting in the back of the limo, I scowl at the back of the seat in front of me. I'm crammed against the door to avoid contact with the male next to me, both mental and physical. "You didn't mind earlier," he murmurs. "And you even said my name, even if it was in your mind. You even avoided me in your dreams."

"Get out of my head and stay out."

"Wow, the first words you've spoken to me in how many years? I think we're making progress." Ignoring the fact that the car is moving at high speeds, I open the door, using enough force to override the childlock. " Jarice, stop!"

"What?" I hear him ask before the car speeds away and before I hit the ground, precisioning myself into a roll to minimize the damage. Straightening, I brush myself off mentally probing myself for anything. I only find a few cuts and bruises. The red lights of the car are only about a mile away down the road. A few angry tones carry to me, but not even enough to give me a full sentence. Knowing they're going to come after me, I since he's not going to let me slip away after having me so close, I search for a suitable place to stash myself away. Quickly crossing over to the secluded trees on the other side of the winding road, I climb one, settling in it's tall branches.

The car settles itself in my view, and I hope I won't be spotted. Kieran gets out of the car, slamming the door and stalking off where I had jumped out. Something popped in front of my face, making me reach for one of my knives, only to realize that I'm armless. Throwing my hands out, I grab their throat. "Relax, Amara!" It's me, Da-" Hissing, I remove my hand to slap it over his mouth.

"There is a reason why I'm in this tree, so hush." Dragging him onto the branch, I turn my attention back to the road. I curse lowly when there is no sign of the car, or the males. After making sure that I'm balanced, I close my eyes, casting out my mind in order to find them. I frown when I feel a wall all around me. Opening my eyes, I glare at the man acting like a five year old. "Get your consciousness away from mine." Resisting the urge to push him out of the tree, I wait for him to obey, tensing.

He retracts slowly, nearly sending me into a frenzy: I can't stand it when someone locks my consciousness inside of theirs, it reminds me too much of being in a cage. "I just figured that it would be best if you were completely hidden from view," he explains. I merely grumble, not liking how long it's taking him to back off. When he's fully away from me, I cast myself out quickly, frustrated. The feeling only grows as I search; they are nowhere to be seen. I turn to Darius, snarling at him. He inches back on the branch, watching me carefully, his hands out towards me. "You know, Amara, when you were, ah, mad, I mean are mad, you kinda remind me of a vampire."

My eyes flash before I pounce at him, knocking us both to the ground. He lands beneath me, but scrambles away before I can get a firm hold on him. "Get back here, boy." My eyes follow him as he scurries to his feet, shaking his head. "If you make me come and get you, there will only be more pain. Unnecessary pain." He flinches, but takes a cautious step towards me. I say nothing, watching him. He steps closer, continuing so he's only a few steps away. Leaping up, I slam him against a tree, grasping his neck again.

"You - are normally sexy when you're mad."

Pressing against his throat, I smile dangerously. "And what about now? Am I sexy now?"" His smile fades as I flex my fingers.

He manages a smile, despite the obvious pain he's in. "Well, I'm sure you would be, if your anger wasn't directed at me." His smile fades as I flex my fingers. "Now, about that pain thing . . ." He trails off nervously.

I shrug carelessly, "I said there'd be less if you cooperated, not that there wouldn't be any. Where's the fun for me if there's no pain?" He flinches as my nails scrape against his neck, as if eager for blood.

"Let's not get too far, shall we? We don't kill other members." There's a slight touch of hysteria in his voice now; he's seen me kill before. It's quite . . .gruesome. Smiling, I watch him flounder.

"Well, I'm not exactly a member anymore, now am I?" His eyes widen in fear and he begins stuttering, a habit he only has when he's truly terrified. Letting him drop to the ground, I inspect my surroundings. Speaking detachedly to him. "I'm not going to kill you." Looking down at him, I turn into a commander. "Where's the nearest town?"

"Bucharest. Approximately five miles." He's rubbing his neck, getting up slowly.

"The capital? Your objective and status."

"Status is gathering information. Objective: Find and dispose of one vampire king, by name of Kieran Bl-"

"Quiet." He looks up at me, curiosity in his eyes. "Go home. You are relieved of your charge." His stance takes one of defense. "Go or stay as you please, then. But leave the case alone." I attempt to stare him down, but he gazes back at me, if slightly nervous.

"And if I don't?"

"You'll die. I can reclaim my rights at any time, and you'll die under not obeying orders. Let the case fall to me." Giving him a look of contempt, I continue to speak. "Or would you rather come against me, gambling with lives rather than ranks?"

Paling slightly, he takes a step back. "You will carry out orders?"

"I have unfinished business with him."

He drops to a knee, inkling a head in our – the Hunter's way of submission. "I'll stay here in Romania, in case you need me."

"After we get into town, I'll be on my own, and you on yours."

He stares at me in shock. "But . . . you can't! He's the king of vampires. He's the strongest, fastest, smartest one of them all. Going against him yourself is suicide!" He takes a step towards me, but a glare sends him back to his place.

"Do you have a team coming?" It's a snarl, a warning to watch his step.

"No." It's solid, there's no lie in his eyes.

"Then-?"

"Yes, it's a death run." A death run. Every Hunter's nightmare. Given out when something is unacceptable. You go alone, though others can help, though it is sparse. Those on death runs are usually shunned. If you finish it, and come back alive, you are pardoned and welcomed with open arms. Few come back alive, I can count them on one hand, and that's for the entire history of Hunters. The name death runs didn't come from lies.

"Why?" He doesn't answer, instead turning and leading out of the trees. Letting it drop, I follow him. After a half an hour, I turn to him. "We've only covered a fourth of a mile."

"Only?" He looks tired, haggard, even. "I'm lucky that I've kept up this pace this far." He looks at me, noticing that I'm bouncing on the balls of my feet. "God almighty, you wan t a faster pace."

"Tell me directions, and I'll go prepare."

He shook his head, "we have a higher chance of surviving if we're together."

"Actually, you have a higher change of surviving if you're not around me. I'm pretty safe either way." He tilts his head, wondering if I'm just cocky, or if there's something he doesn't know. "The king has unfinished business with me. Now, the way?"

Stunned, eyes wide, he points down the dirt road, "Just follow it down, It leads straight to Bucharest. Now, about you and the king . . . " Before he can ask again, I take off, the wind tangling it's fingers in my hair. I reach the city an hour later, buying a room in a hotel on the strip. The more people around, the less likely we'll be caught. After securing the room, I check around mentally to see if Darius is wandering on the outskirts of town, wondering where I am. No sign of him, so I meander over to one of the restaurants, ordering a small dish and playing with the contents on the plate instead of eating it. I keep my eyes down as I hear footsteps close to me, as if in doing so will make me unseen. The chair scrapes out and then someone settles.

"I thought I'd give you some warning."

Laughing slightly, I push the dish away from me. "I heard you a good mile away. So where is he? Playing an innocent diner?"

Jarice eyes the plate disdainfully, "Are you still only pretending to eat? And he's not here, he decided to wait for you at home." Looking down, he lowers his voice. "Will you please come home peacefully?"

Shrugging, I answer his questions in order. "Well, if I don't need it, why should I? And I can't." Closing my eyes, I lean back, hoping to hide from the situation.

"Why?"

A simple question. An easy question, so why can't I answer it? Avoiding both questions, I look out across the street, thinking about the years gone past. After a while, I look back at Jarice, speaking the question that shows in my eyes. "Why does he want me back so badly?"

He shifts, casting his eyes around as he thinks, likely wondering what to say. Returning his eyes back to me, he smiles. "He bid me tell you it's like a chess game. You're the powerful Queen needed to win. But I think you deserve the truth. He loves you."

Shock spreads through my body before it's replaced with anger. "Nice, it's creative, even for him." Playing idly with my napkin, as if bored, I continue. "A well thought out lie, and a well played one. I applaud you." Anger swells around Jarice like a thick fog, nearly choking me before I pull back my mind and he gains control. "Will you deny your ability to lie?"

The anger flares up again, yet his demeanor is calm, not terribly surprising, since he's had years of practice. "No, I'm saying that I have no cause for lying to you. Have I lied to you yet?"

"He was on the plane."

A pause; a calmness; an amused smile. "That was no lie. That was a . . . sudden change in plans." My eyes soften as I lower them. That meant he dropped everything just to see me. Or to see how his pawn is faring. Standing roughly from the table, I take my leave, quickly walking the corner Almost immediately, I run into someone who traps me in their arms.

"Skipping town?"

I begin breathing normally, but push him away roughly, scowling at him for catching me off guard. "No. Like I said, I have unfinished business here. Your room is ready."

Bowing slightly at the waist, mocking him, I hand him his room key and begin to move away.

"What room are you in?"

"It's better if I keep moving. The more I stay in one area, the more likely I get caught. And I'm not ready to be caught just yet. So, if you'll excuse me."

"At least eat something before you run of!" He calls desperately after me. Trying to catch my arm, he takes a couple of steps toward me.

"I already ate," I lie before slipping away and beginning to search around the city, entranced by the vendors. "Buy your wares here," they call in their home tongue. I admire the various goods, all homemade in ancient processes. Touching a decorative rug delicately, I continue to search for something worthwhile to spend my money on.

A young girl's voice catches my interest, and I step over to her, smiling down at the small figure. "Would you like your fortune told, Doamna?" She asks in the rough language. As I nod, she looks at me in interest. "I can give you a real reading for a slight bit more." Handing over the money, she brightens and leads me to her stand, covered with pagan symbols. She begins by pulling out, then shuffling an old deck of cards. "Think of a question, concentrate, and tell me when to stop." A question pops into my head: Does Kieran love me? After I tell her to stop, she quickly lays them in a traditional celtic cross and staff. Turning them over, I see they're all from the suit of hearts, save for the last one, the final outcome. Her hands flit over one of the cards as her aura touches mine abruptly before pulling away. "You don't know whether to trust him anymore, after what happened. Everyone you know thinks it's a rău chibrit, except one. He wishes only for you. In the near future, you will be reunited and changed. The final outcome is . . . blank." Confused, she flips it over to see it exactly like the first. "That's never happened before ." Shaking off the fear, she reaches for my hand, turning it palm up. "Your lines are closely entwined with another's and here, your life is entwined with your fate line, which is strange, usually fate is one on its own. Your health line crosses across your palm and is strong except this one break here. It's broken by your heartthen comes back even stronger, trailing up into your determination. Your head line intertwines your fate and life. Your love, this section here, shows you have a lot to give, and a lot to receive." Her hands trace my lines absently before trailing down to my wrist. "At the most you will have one child, but it's very unsure."

Smiling, I retract my hand from hers. "Thank you." I begin to back away, but she stops me, pulling out a small leather bag.

"One last service for you, Doamna. The bones." The bones that tumble out of the back look . . . almost human. She notices my stare and smiles. "Not to worry, it's not human. Vampire." Shocked, I look up to find fangs in her mouth. Sweeping the bones into a stone cup, she shakes them and tosses them back on the table. After a quick glance, she looks behind me. Unlike most, I watch her instead of trying to figure out what the bones mean. Her eyes turn pure white, drowning out the pale color of her irises. Her voice is detached as her hand passes over the bones. "You're so frightened. Both of him and for him. One will eventually fade. You never know if you want to hit him or kiss him." Her eyes flicker with color for a moment. "I'd suggest the latter. Things are hard in the beginning, but you're both strong willed. And . . . you will have power. It is uncertain whether you hold this power on your own or with a coleg." She closes her eyes, and when she opens them, they're normal again. "Thank you, Doamna, Regină."

Grinning with a grin beyond her physical years, she scampers off, calling out her wares again. Shaking my head, I wander away from the busy bazaar, walking the back streets of the large city, smiling at the sounds of everyday life. The sounds put me at ease, relaxing my mind so that I no longer jump at every rustle of the wind. The day gradually winds down into night, the sounds changing with the light. Even the wind becomes softer, quieter, as gentle as the night. I had once feared the night, it being a fearful monster's playground. But I had since met the 'fearful monsters,' and the night had since become my own playground, and I had become the fearful monster. But now the night and I are simply companions, both swaying in the wind.

Somehow, I end up on the outskirts of town, next to the woods. Instead of following my instinct, I continue on into the trees, letting myself relax completely, listening to the sounds of nature at its least refined. Deciding this is as safe a place as any, I settle in an old tree's roots and fall into a peaceful slumber.

-x..x-

"Alright, I'm tired of waiting. Wake up!" Someone calls in my ear. My fist automatically flies. "Ow! What's that for?"

"Invading my personal space." Grumbling, I turn and snuggle into the tree roots. "Go away!"

"No," he whines, poking me again. "I need your help. And besides, I chased away the vampire that was lurking around you. And look at what thanks I get."

My heart stops and I bolt upright. "What vampire?" he stares blankly, as I had interrupted his grumblings. "Who was the vampire? Darius! Tell me what he looked like!"

:I don't know, how am I supposed to know?" Frustrated, he sits on the ground beside me. "Isn't it enough that I chased him away?"

"No! It doesn't help me if I don't know what he looks like! Without a description, how am I supposed to find and question them?" getting up, I begin pacing back and forth.

"If I hadn't chased it away, you would have slept through it!"

Stopping, I glare at him, "If you hadn't've chased it away, it would have been here when I woke up!" my voice raises to a yell at the end. Massaging my temples to calm myself, I speak again. "Do you at least know whether it was male or female?"

He looks down at his shoes. "Male," he mutters, "and . . . he reminded me of . . . darkness." He looks up, "but that's insane. Even vampires can't do that."

"One can. Kieran." Her looks up surprised. "Yeah, the target. I told you he had unfinished business with me. And what do you do? You run him off!" He pales, looking back down at the ground, looking guilty again. "I honestly don't know how you managed to pass through training!" Clearing his throat, he stands up. "What?"

"About that . . . " I watch, anxious about what he's going to say. "I might've signed your name to a paper saying to upgrade me to a full membership now kind of thing." Backing away slowly, he awaits my reaction.

"What?" I growl out, dangerously low.

"You look very sexy right now, have I mentioned that?" Eyes wide, he continues to back away. I take a step forward, he, a step back. Frustrated at myself for doing it, we continue on this routine. "A-Amara?"

Grabbing his throat, I slam him up against a tree. "You have me so angry I'm playing cat and mouse with you." Tightening my grip on his neck, I watch as blood trails down his neck. "So they think I'm back. Do they?"

He manages to nod, and then to speak. "But aren't you? The death run . . ."

"Why do you have a death run?"

Loosening my grip on him, I allow him to more air, enabling him to speak properly. "They said that if I could pass a death run, I could be a full fledged member. They're just jealous that you took an interest in me."

"No, they're wondering why a fledgling caught the eye of one of the most prominent hunter's in history, who had revoked her place. They're not stupid. How the hell did you get my signature, anyway?" taking several steps away from him, I begin pacing again.

"There were some love letters of yours that I found. Unmailed, to some guy named 'Kee.'" I freeze, there's no way I can't. I had hidden those years ago, how-how could he have found them? He continues on, not noticing my reaction. "I copied it for hours before I was satisfied. Your name is etched in my mind now. Amara Black."

My muscles decide to move again, particularly those pertaining to my mouth. "What? You signed my name Amara Black?" He nods skeptically, about to speak, but I cut him off. "You idiot! What is the target's name?" I yell, clenching my hands into fists.

"Kieran Black," he whispers.

"What about that name sounds familiar?" he shakes his head, not understanding my meaning. "Black! Kieran Black! Amara Black! I'm Amara Elvira. They sent you on this death run to spite us; you if you made up the last name, me if it was true. You foolish – " cutting myself off, I rest my forehead against a tree.

"Kee is Kieran, isn't he?"

Eyes hard, I turn back o Darius. "Go home. Grovel for forgiveness. Tell them you made up the last name. Make it believable."

"He is! That's why you took the case. Because you don't want me killing your precious lover boy!" He exclaims, accusing me with his eyes. I backhand him.

"Don't make assumptions." Someone claps behind me. I'm pretty sure I know who it is, so I keep my back turned. "Go away." Darius gets up, holding the cheek I backhanded.

"Bravo, bravo. A worthy display of violence. I didn't think you were capable of any sort of violence, even if Jarice said you disposed of the team so easily. The blades were almost convincing though."

"I want them back, they're mine."

"Are they?" I can practically see his smirk. "Well, you can have them if you come and get them. Except for the one that isn't yours."

I growl, spinning around to face him. "It's mine, you can't keep it from me."

He wanders towards me, grabbing a hold of my hair, twirling it and making me tense. "Hm, I don't recall seeing your name on the blade." He leans in close, "They're waiting for you in the training room." I bristle at the thought of others using my weapons. He inched back from my ear. "calm down, they're in my personal training room." Jerking away from him, I glare.

Darius comes up behind me, on my right side. "Darius, you are not a part of this," I say, encouraging him to leave.

"The run . . ." he mutters, sneaking a glance at the shadowy vampyre that pretends not to notice.

Not fully turning my gaze from Kieran, I look back at the boy. "Was turned over! You have no authority over it." Kieran smirks at me again, and I try not to let it rile me. "Go."

Kieran raises his hands in mock surrender, cutting off Darius' protests. "Don't worry about it, Darius. I'll leave." He casts a glance at me, his smile softening for a moment. "You know where to find your swords. Jarice will escort you." Giving a curt nod, I keep my head tilted towards Darius, reciting a mantra: I'm just a pawn to him. Only a pawn. My body trembles as I repeat it over and over. I don't want to be a pawn.

Faltering in his steps, Kieran turns around, walking back towards me. "Amara . . ." he trails off, and I know he's waiting to say the rest to my eyes, once he gets closer. He stands in front of me, but I can't look at him. "Amara, you were . . ." he reaches to turn my head towards him, but finds a dagger on his throat.

"Just because she doesn't have her weapons, it doesn't mean I don't have mine." The soft look from Kieran is gone, a careless mask in its place. "B-back away from her."

Kieran flicks the blade away with ease "As if you could." He begins to walk away again, throwing a last comment over his shoulder. "When you come, leave the boy." With that final remark, he disappears into the trees.

Darius scoffs, putting his dagger away and turning to me. "Psh, like I'd let you go to his cave alone."

"Castle, and you are." Turning, I walk away, ignoring his protests.

AN: This took me forever. And I don't really know why. Sorry, and I hope someone is reading this . . . O.o Let me know in a review! ^_^